R2K Statement: UKZN must drop charges against students
9 March 2014
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has slapped four students with disciplinary charges (effectively accusing them of defamation) after they wrote an open letter to the Vice-Chancellor raising a range of concerns around the management of the University and decisions affecting students. The four charges of misconduct can be read here, and the students' original letter is here.
We applaud the four students, Lukhona Mnguni, Mnikeni Phakathi, Thembani Khumalo and Siyabonga Khumalo, for exercising their right to speak out.
The Right2Know Campaign believes the charges against them are unjust and unconstitutional. Freedom of expression is a right that belongs to all, regardless of which space they occupy in our country. In the University space, this right should be upheld most highly in order to groom passionate, critical, outspoken and upright thinkers that will take our nation forward.
When students have the courage to speak out on issues that directly affect them and those within their University community, they should be afforded an ear and not be treated as ‘enemies' and subjected to heavy-handed disciplinary measures.
It is outrageous that the University management has, instead of listening and opening a dialogue about the issues that the students raised, tried to silence their concerns by adopting a defensive and wholly misplaced legalistic response. The response from University management - to stifle dissent, free thinking, and to deny the public's right to receive information - betrays the University's stated commitment to freedom of expression and the open exchange of opinions and ideas.
The Right2Know Campaign condemns the University management's decision to bring charges against the students, and demands that they be dropped immediately.
We call on all who value freedom of expression - whether in the academy, civil society, or members of the public, to defend the students' right to speak out and call on the University to drop these charges. We call on all student formations, especially at UKZN, to speak out and mobilise against this intimidation.
The University must drop these charges immediately, and begin a dialogue to address the concerns raised by these four students - and in doing so, demonstrate that it is committed to its very own Transformation Charter that places dialogue within the University at its centre.
Statement issued by Nomvula Sikakane, R2K KZN and Joanne Adams, R2K KZN, March 10 2014
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